LETTER: Good people and deeds deserve recognition in Glace Bay

Cape Breton Post

Published: Nov 06, 2017 at 3:19 p.m.

Letter to the Editor

Each evening as I walk my two dogs and cat along the trails of Queen Elizabeth Park, and the old Sydney and Louisbourg track bed, the first and last thing I see is the Cameron Bowl in Glace Bay. It’s a beautiful sight, but when surrounded by a kaleidoscope of fall colours it is absolutely breathtaking, and should be featured on a calendar.

My wife Kathy and I occasionally have coffee at the back corner of our property, overlooking the Cameron Bowl. We are amazed at how extensively those fields are used, and enjoy the sound of the bat contacting the ball and the cheerful voices of the players. We get a first-hand view of the level of maintenance, the beauty of both fields in the bowl and the cleanliness of the entire area.

The cliché “if you want something good to happen, surround yourself with good people” certainly holds true at the Cameron Bowl. Unfortunately, we sometimes forget to recognize those who do such a wonderful job. Two people in particular come to mind: Craig Crocker and Todd Cann. Craig is the Cape Breton Regional Municipality parks and grounds supervisor in the east division. Todd is the maintenance and grounds keeper for the Cameron Bowl and Table Head complexes. The commitment of these two men is one of the main reasons the Cameron Bowl is such a gem.

Craig was there every day during last year’s flood recovery, despite battling a serious abdominal infection. It rained for several days during the week prior to the 2013 Little League National Tournament and it was going to be difficult to get the Cameron Bowl ready for the event. It was supposed to be Craig’s vacation time and he was owed vacation time from the previous year. But, when the weather cleared, Craig was again totally committed to getting the bowl ready in time working long hours, before, during and after his regular time requirements.

Todd is a tireless worker. At times he is there from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., preparing for and during special events such as tournaments. He sometimes skips a meal to get something finished. He also coaches, assigns umpires, works the public address system, etc. As a result of his diligence and pride, the Cameron Bowl is always a top-notch facility. It’s not just a job to Todd. It seems to have become a part of his identity. At times he reminds me of a landscape artist trying to capture every little positive detail to create that perfect picture on “his canvass.”

I thought it was time to acknowledge what these men do. I know Todd is on Facebook. It would be a nice gesture to post a thank you.

I would also like to commend all who were instrumental in reclaiming that section of the park following last year’s flood. The widening of the brook and walking paths, clearing the over-growth, and the concrete and stonework on the walking bridge great job, thank you!

Finally, we often hear horror stories about young people on ATVs and dirt bikes. I encounter two or three during our daily walks. They slow down and pull to one side, slowly easing past walkers and their animals. It’s the perfect relationship among riders, walkers and animals. We should always recognize good people who do good things. Thanks!